Strengthening Community Resilience

to Impacts of Climate Change and Stewardship of Natural Resources

in Baringo, Laikipia and Kajiado County

by Noah Lusaka

Project Manager

Arid Lands Information

Network (ALIN) 1

• About ALIN

• Project Objectives

• Climate Change Issues addressed

• Project Approach and Best Practices

• Project Achievements and innovations

• Challenges experienced

• Selected CSA photos

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Presentation Outline

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ALIN 3 Pillars – Agriculture and Natural Resources Management

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ALIN

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Enabling Access

Knowledge Creation Community

Empowerment

Food Security and Wealth Creation

Project Objectives 1. To lobby for the development of climate change

adaptation framework informed by NCCAP/ NCCRS and their implementation in the three Counties by April 2015.

2. To enhance communities capacity to adopt climate smart agricultural practices for improved livelihoods within the three Counties by April 2015.

3. To enhance communities access to usable information and knowledge on climate change adaptation for increased resilience in three Counties.

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What are the Issues addressed?

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Lenkobei, Kajiado County

Eldume Irrigation Scheme, Baringo county

Matwiku farmers, Laikipia County

Project Approach and Best Practices • Evidence based approach – Climate Change vulnerability

assessment at project sites carried out to identify suitable interventions.

• Development of interventions based on predicted climate impacts (Water / Food shortage and increasing temperatures)

• Use of existing structures – groups, county extension workers, existing water harvesting structures.

• Citizen participation in project implementation: county and community forums held to identify interventions.

• Use of Multi-media advocacy approaches ( ALIN uses her Maarifa centres and the Joto Afrika publication to disseminate CSA practices).

• Involvement of County leadership. • Documentation of project activities – blog articles, video,

pictures and radio.

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Project achievements and innovations

• Cordial engagement with 3 County governments.

• Empowered Communities on CSA practices; (agroforestry, soil fertility, soil & water conservation)

• Developed policy briefs through consultative processes.

• Innovative water harvesting technologies for food production.

• Set up three demonstration sites - 1 acre solar powered Drip irrigation system managed by groups.

• Aired three radio programmes on policy issues, climate change and food production.

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Project Achievements Continued

• Successful project launch and open days involving county leaders.

• Potential for community projects sustainability – one group already made income of over ksh. 120,000/= (1330 USD) within one season.

• Developed project Information materials and disseminated through multi-media channels.

• Dissemination of project information through multi-media channels

• Kajiado Horticulture site was chosen as a climate smart technology learning site for CBA9 Conference

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Project Challenges

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• Reduction of water sources at community sites due to prolonged drought.

• High illiteracy levels among some groups.

• Programmatic – Timeframe implementing in the three counties.

• Need for long term engagement with communities.

• Technological – solar pump breakdown

• Pests and Diseases

Water Harvesting + Pumping for food production

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Water Source for Matwiku group, Laikipia County

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Portable Solar panel

Drip Irrigation wetting zones

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Mature tomato crop, Lenkobei, Kajiado

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The Nolororo horticulture Farm, Baringo

A Maarifa Centre lady graduate employed by IEBC as an electors registration clerk

Women group members educating Communities on CSA during an open day at Lenkobei, Kajiado County

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A Bountiful harvest of Tomatoes at Lengobei

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Sorting and Grading Tomatoes

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20 Local Marketing of Onions and Tomatoes

Tha

nk y

ou

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MARIGAT MAARIFA CENTRE